As we drive down the winding mountain road, I see the national military police up ahead, signaling us to stop. David hits the brakes of the ancient BMW 320. The sudden jolt sets off a round of clucking from the chickens in the backseat. The bamboo stalks roped to the car’s roof slide forward but don’t fall off.

“Documenti,” orders the carabiniere with a sinister glare.

David reaches for the insurance papers in the glove compartment and hands them to the officer, who carefully examines them. more ...

The job interview is one of the most crucial elements of successfully landing a great job. What comes before and after is of course equally important, but will rarely have the make-or-break nature of the job interview itself. Here are five things you need to know when interviewing for a job in the UAE:

• Your industry: Interviewers will frequently ask candidates for an analysis of the current or future state of the industry. This gives them an idea of not just how much industry information you have, but how well you are able to analyze that information. Be sure to do an adequate amount of homework before your interview, so that your facts are accurate and up-to-date. Find information that is specific to the industry in the UAE, and compare it with the industry in the rest of the world. When providing analysis, be forthright, and try not to exaggerate or overstate either positives or negatives. more ...

Belgium has a considerable expat population and much of it is concentrated in the capital city of Brussels, which is also the de facto capital of the European Union. There are approximately 10.8 million people living in Belgium and of these, nearly 13 percent were not actually born there. The expat community comprises of businesspeople, families and also many politicians and international diplomats, since the NATO headquarters are located in Brussels.

The cost of living in Belgium is considered to be on the higher side. The city of Brussels also ranks among the top 50 most expensive cities in the globe. But the advantage for expats, especially those coming from EU countries, is that living in Brussels is cheaper than most other capital cities in Western Europe such as London and Paris. more ...

Expats in Germany will find that life in this cosmopolitan and inventive society is anything but dull. Germany is a highly modernized nation with a rich heritage and great regional diversity. But whether you are moving to Germany for a new job, retirement or personal reasons, the following questions will help you determine if you are making the right decision at the right time.

Is it affordable?
Making such a big move is exciting, but you need to consider practical matters such as your financial situation. Will you be able to afford the move and daily life in Germany thereafter? The cost of living in Germany is considered high, especially in the major cities. more ...

Finland, the fifth largest country in Europe, is a place of spectacular beauty. Almost 68 percent of its area is covered in forests and there are nearly 187,000 lakes located across the country. Apart from the incredible natural beauty, there are other reasons why many expats choose to move to Finland. The Finnish government places a great deal of emphasis on family well-being. There are maternity packages and grants available for expectant mothers and adoptive parents that are covered by the social security scheme. Women can take advantage of the ample maternity leave and maternity allowance that is even available for self-employed and unemployed individuals. There’s also paternity leave and a paternity allowance for men and following the birth of a child, mothers and fathers can take parental leave and receive parental allowance. Finland also performs well on other measures of well-being such as high living standards, good education, employment and overall life satisfaction. more ...

Greece’s pleasant weather and comfortable lifestyle are just a few of the reasons why many expats are drawn to its shores. There is a lot to discover in this land of great culture and heritage and to make it simpler for you, here are ten insider tips that will help you make the most out of your stay in this fascinating country.

Best historical places
Crete is a paradise for history and mythology lovers. According to mythology, Zeus, the towering figure in Greek mythology and the ‘Father of Gods and men’ was hidden in a cave in Crete by his mother and raised there by nymphs. In Minoan times, Crete was the headquarters from which the rest of the island was controlled. The remnants of the Minoans' power bases can be seen at Phaistos and Gournia. more ...

The continuing adventures of June Finnigan, her Man, and Farty Barty the cat.

Benvenuti to all my Loyal and New Followers

February can be a strange month, don’t you think? As far as the Tuscans are concerned, it’s the second month of winter knowing that if we are going to get any severe weather, January and February are the two months to expect it. We had just a fleeting layer of snow, although our daughter and family who live higher up, were stranded for a couple of days.

For my man and me, the month started with the arrival of new storage from IKEA and we were at last able to transfer boxes of clothes to drawers and hangers. more ...

Like many expats, I do a fair bit of traveling but it has never occurred to me to try to look like a native at my destinations. Who am I kidding? With my lily-white skin and fair hair, I stick out like a sore thumb in some countries. I came across this article however, which seems to suggest you don’t ever want to look like a tourist when traveling. Hmmm…did I not get the memo?

The writer claims – “The consequences of looking like a tourist in a foreign place can range from serious (becoming a target for theft and scams) to humorous (awkwardness, frustration, public embarrassment). Here are a few of the most blatant ways that your lack of familiarity with local culture in Europe can bring you public shame and humiliation, plus advice on keeping it cool while abroad.” more ...

Moving to Italy is the stuff that dreams are made of, and Italy has long been a bewitching destination for tourists and expats alike. While living in Italy may not always live up to your expectations, there’s no denying that the country and its attractions will wildly surpass all expectations. There is just so much to see and do in Italy that a lifetime wouldn’t be enough. Italy has been the home to some of the greatest artists and scientists who have redefined the world and our perceptions of beauty, art and science. The country is not surprisingly home to a great concentration of UNESCO World Heritage sites. Italy has a wealth of historical and cultural sites, museums, theatres, art galleries, carnivals and fashion and shopping centers. more ...

Expats in Mexico are often worried about driving, as they have heard stories about drug cartels, crooked cops, and carjackings. While there is some basis for these stories, most of the information is greatly exaggerated. It is true that many of these problems exist, but most of it is concentrated on the back roads and not on the main highways. Driving in Mexico can be a great experience, so here are a few driving tips to help you get around.

The Green Angels

The Angeles Verdes or The Green Angels is a government-run organization of auto mechanics that provide free assistance in case of a breakdown or accident. The organization has an impressive 300 vehicles that patrol the Mexican highways on a daily basis. more ...

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